Elementary Christmas Colouring Contest Winners

Elementary Christmas Concert 2014

Star Athletes of Blackville School for December

High School Boys: Josh Underhill

"Josh is a very good athlete, a good team leader and has great sportsmanship!" said coach Loretta Gorbett about Josh concerning his leadership, game play and attitude on and off the court. Josh has been an integral part of the High School Boys Basketball team since Grade 9 and now in Grade 11 is the starting point guard and hardly comes off the court. Josh also plays hockey and football outside of school.

High School Girls: Abby Donovan

"Abby has great work ethic and an awesome attitude," said coach Matthew Sturgeon about Abby's playing and attitude not only on the court, but off the court as well. Abby spends a fair amount of time on the court, despite only being in Grade 10. Abby looks forward to being a key figure in the basketball teams hierarchy for the remainder of her high school career. Abby also plays hockey and soccer.
                               

Middle School Boys: Denver Donovan

When asked about Denver Donovan's efforts with the middle school basketball team, coaches Josh Underhill and Connor Duffy said that "Denver is a really hard working kid. He listens very well and is a monster around the rim." Denver is a senior player on the basketball team seeing that he is in grade 8 and is looking forward to being on the senior boys team next year when he makes the jump to high school. Denver also plays hockey, soccer and volleyball.

Middle School Girls: Tori Sullivan

"She always keeps the team motivated, and she is kind to her teammates. She is an overall great athlete!" said coach Jessica Munn. Tori is a senior member of the middle school girls basketball team seeing she is in Grade 8, and plays a major leadership role on the team for the younger players. Tori also plays soccer and hockey.

Compiled by Larissa Bryenton, Graham Manderville, and Ashley Vickers

                                              

Elementary Christmas Concert 2014

KH & KN presenting their "Christmas Chant"

Blackville Elementary grades K to five had their annual Christmas Concert which was held in the cafeteria on December 16.

There was a huge turn out with many parents and people from the village who came to watch. MC's Jorja Donovan and Cohen Munn were a huge hit with their humour and great presentation of the classes from K to 5.

A majority of songs were sung including "Reindeer Love to Boogie" which was sung by KH and KN. Also 3TM did a great job with their song "Nuttin' for Christmas". Grade 1C sang "Reindeer Pokey" followed by Grade 3M singing "Feliz Navidad" and their intro saying "Merry Christmas" in different languages.

To view more pictures of the Elementary Christmas Concert click here!

By Ashton O'Donnell      
Photos by Jules Keenan

Band and Choir Night 2014

Elementary Choir 

Blackville School held their annual Band and Choir night. It took place in the school cafeteria on December 9.

The evening featured the Elementary Choir, School Girls Choir and the Blackville School Jazz Band/9T Band class. The MC's were Vice Principal Pamela Underhill and Principal Rodney Buggie.

Blackville School Girls Choir 

During the concert the audience heard "S.A.N.T.A" and "Ebenezer Scrooge" sung by the Elementary Choir, and "Carol of the Bells" and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" from the School Girl's Choir.

The Blackville School Jazz Band/9T Band class played "Frosty the Snowman" and "Feliz Navidad." 

To view more pictures from Band and Choir night 2014 click here!

By Ashton O'Donnell
Photos by Noah Donovan

School's In Podcast for December 12, 2014

Hosts Leah Hennessey and Ashton O'Donnell share news from Blackville School for the week of December 12, 2014.  School's In podcast are heard on Life Radio Friday evenings.  Podcast is edited by Perry-Jay Peterson.

Tales From The Borderlands: Zer0 Sum Review

metro.co.uk

Embrace the chaotically hilarious world of Pandora once again in the new episodic graphic adventure game based on the Borderlands series in Tales From the Borderlands.  The game is developed by Telltale Games in partnership with Gearbox Software and 2K Games, featuring voices from Chris Hardwick as Vaughn,  and Patrick Warburton as your nemesis Vasquez.  Episode one of Tales From the Borderlands is named 'Zer0 Sum' and was released November 25, 2014 on PC, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS3, and PS4.

School's In Podcast for December 5, 2014

Hosts Leah Hennessey and Ashton O'Donnell share news from Blackville School for the week of December 5, 2014.  School's In podcast are heard on Life Radio Friday evenings. Podcast is edited by Perry-Jay Peterson.

Peoples Picks (Dec.1-5 )

Student of the week is Larissa Bryenton. Larissa is from Blackville and enjoys playing volleyball and working in her spare time. Larissa's favourite sport is volleyball. Congratulations, Larissa!

Teacher of the Week is Mr. Norton. Mr. Norton is from Boiestown and obtained his education through the University of New Brunswick and has been teaching for 11 years. Mr. Norton's favourite subject to teach is physics. Congratulations, Mr. Norton!

Staff of the Week is Jamie McNeil. Jaime likes to spend time with her family in her spare time and is from Blackville. Jaime has been working at Blackville with the cafeteria staff for six years. Congratulations, Jaime!

Compiled by Trent Thibodeau and Noah Hallihan

Viewpoint: Fly Fishing Club

Upcoming Christmas Events

Christmas Chaos Week

December 15 to 19

Monday- Jersey Day

Tuesday- Toque Day

Wednesday- Ugly Christmas Sweater Day

Thursday- Greed & Red Day

Friday- PJ Day

Dates to Remember...

December 9th- Band & Choir Night

December 16th- Elementary Christmas Concert

December 19th- Last Day before Christmas Break

Movie Night: 

December 4th at Blackville School. 

Cost- $5- includes movie, popcorn, and kool-aid jammers, there will be extra kool-aid jammers for sale $1.00 each

6:00 to 7:15- grades K-4 Movie: Elf on the Shelf and Smurfs Christmas

7:30 to 9:00- grades 5-8 Movie: Home Alone

Opinion: Dress Code

We all have different ways to express ourselves, whether it is with music, opinions and even our clothing. You are your own "you," and no one can change that. Except when you walk into a school and you have to follow a "dress code." Many people have different opinions on this and it is one of the most talked about topics in high school, especially with high school girls.

In my opinion, I think that dress code doesn't allow people to express who they are, but then again there is a limit and people should know where to stop because they have gone too far. I think that a dress code applies more to girls because boys don't "reveal" themselves as many girls would. Also, some people have different views. Some girls feel more comfortable in a T-shirt and jeans while other girls like to express themselves more with a low cut shirt and skirt- just because they feel comfortable in it. I also think that dress code limits what people can wear and causes girls to feel self conscious about what they wear just so they aren't revealing themselves.

There is a limit, and you should dress to show that you have respect for yourself, but you should be able to express who you are too. Some people like to express themselves by their clothing.  To get some other opinions other than mine, I asked other students what they thought of the dress code. Here is what they had to say.

Gina Keenan (9U): "I think that the dress code is stupid. It shames girls of their bodies because we're forced to conceal everything."

Leah Hennessy (12U): "My personal opinion on dress code is that yes it can suck not being able to wear certain clothes in the summer when it is hot outside when you wish that you could be wearing lighter clothes, but at the same time I don't think I would want to see girls walking around showing their three B's. I also don't think that the girls dress code is stricter than the guys."

School's In Podcast for November 21, 2014

 Host Leah Hennessy shares news from Blackville School for the week of November 21, 2014.  School's In podcast are heard on Life Radio friday evenings.  Podcast edited by Perry-Jay Peterson.

Assassin's Creed Unity Review

wall.alphacoders.com

Through fear, crime, betrayal, and bloodshed, experience the newest extension to one of the most well known major action-adventure franchises today. Assassin's Creed Unity has something for everyone's inner assassin. Ubisoft and Ubisoft Montreal, have done it once again, they have managed to make their seventh instalment to the Assassin's Creed series and it surely lives up to its predecessor Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag. Directed by Alexandre Amancio and written by Travis Stout, Assassins Creed Unity hooks you in as soon as you start the game. Assassins Creed Unity was released November 11th, 2014, and is available on PS4, Xbox One, and PC.

Star Athletes of Blackville School

 High School Boys - Dylan Storey

"He's been consistent, dedicated and works hard in games and practices," said Coach Rodney Buggie about Dylan concerning his efforts with the Senior Boys soccer team and his place in their quest for the provincial banner. Dylan is not only the goalkeeper for the Senior Boys soccer team, but he is also a crucial part of the Senior Boys Basketball team. Outside of school, Dylan likes to play any type of pick up sports including outdoor basketball and road hockey.

School's In Podcast for November 14, 2014

Host Leah Hennessy shares news from Blackville School for the week of November 14, 2014. School's In podcast are heard on Life Radio Friday evenings.  Podcast edited by Perry-Jay Peterson.

Remembrance Day Colouring Contest 2014

Take Your Kid To Work Day

Delanie Coughlan at Home Hardware

Grade nine students at Blackville High School took part in, "Take Your Kid To Work Day," on Wednesday, November 5, 2014. The students went to various work places to be an employee for the day, and get a sense of what it is like to be in the work force.

Each student went to their preferred work place setting. The students learn about what type of tasks are done on a daily basis as well as participate in the daily tasks that typically take place at the establishment.

Mackenzie Stewart at Valu Foods

Janet Jardine went to work at McEvoy Insurance, Delanie Coughlan went to Home Hardware and Madison Underhill as well as Mackenzie Stewart went to Value Foods for the day. Other places that the students went to are the Blackville RCMP as well as the Adult Learning Center.

By Ashley Vickers

The Teddy Bear Project

Blackville School kindergarten students

Blackville school is partnered up with Instituto Tecnológico Avanzado en Educación del Sureste in Mexico for the Teddy Bear Project. This project, organized through the iEarn Collaboration Centre, involves Mrs. Norton and Mrs. Hallihan's Kindergarten classes as well as a class from Mexico.

The purpose of the Teddy Bear Project is to have students foster understanding and knowledge about other countries and cultures.

Dating Violence Presentation

Family Violence Outreach Coordinator Patty Michaud and Youth Care Worker students from NBCC Miramichi came to speak to high school students about Dating Violence on Wednesday November 13. They first showed a short slide show about dating violence and then they broke off into focus groups to ask questions and talk about dating violence.

From left to right: Michael Waugh, Alex Hallihan,
Larissa Bryenton, Moranda Frennette, Patty Michaud
 and NBCC Students from the Youth Care program

Remembrance Day Ceremony at Blackville School

Opinion: Remembrance Day

Every year on November 11 we remember those who fought for our country. We respect those who are still here with us today and also those who sacrificed their lives for us and this country. A country they loved and believed in so much, they fought to defend its values.

Here at Blackville School every year around Remembrance Day we always hold a service that takes place in the gym.  The ceremony features our choirs, band, readings from students between K to 12. It also includes  the wreath laying which includes each person from each grade to lay a wreath in remembrance of our soldiers that fought in the world wars. The wreath laying also includes members from our community, such as the local legion and the wreath is laid in memory of fallen soldiers. 

Mersereau: We can't stray from honouring the past

A piece of the Berlin Wall that belongs to Mersereau

This past week I had the privilege of interviewing former army communications officer and Blackville native Warrant Officer Troy Mersereau. Son of Vera and Burton Mersereau and brother of elementary school teacher Twila Sturgeon.

Mersereau graduated from Blackville in 1986 alongside Blackville School's principal Rodney Buggie. He spent his youth in Blackville playing hockey and as a member of the Blackville Air Cadet squadron. He joined the army branch of the Canadian military in 1987 after working in Fredericton for a short while, trying to find his place in life.

Memorabilia from Mersereau's military career

Troy had a long and rewarding military career, having been stationed in numerous locations in Canada, including Petawawa and Kingston, Ontario and Edmonton, Alberta; he also was stationed in numerous places overseas including Germany, Syria, Israel and three tours in Bosnia. Some of the answers that are given in the interview below are paraphrased and are not direct quotes.

Q: Why did you join the military? What would recommend the military as a career path to a graduate of today?

Middle School Student of The Month

Middle School Student of the Month for 6D is Denver Jardine. Denver is a hard working student and especially kind and helpful towards others. Denver is also especially thoughtful in school. Congratulations, Denver!

Middle School Student of the Month for 7M is Brady Nash. Brady is especially kind and helpful towards others and is also very respectful. Brady has also been coming extra early for homeroom. Congratulations, Brady!







Middle School Student of the Month for 7W is Shana Jardine. Shana is a hard working student and shows great leadership skills in school. Shana is especially kind and helpful towards other students and has reached an academic achievement recently in school. Congratulations, Shana!








Middle School Student of the Month for 8O is Gabe Keenan. Gabe is very hard working and shows outstanding effort in school. Gabe has improved very much this year in academics. Congratulations, Gabe!








Middle School Student of the Month for 8M is Christopher Underhill. Christopher is a very hard working student and is especially kind and helpful towards others. Christopher shows outstanding effort in school and has reached an academic achievement recently. Christopher is also very thoughtful and shows respect for others as well. Congratulations, Christopher!

Halloween Colouring Contest Winners

School's In Podcast for October 31, 2014

Host Kelsey Keenan shares news from Blackville School for the week of October 31st, 2014. School's In podcast are heard on Life Radio Friday evenings.  Podcast edited by Perry-Jay Peterson.

Viewpoint: Halloween

People's Picks (27 - 31 Oct)

Student of the week is Kiefer Crawford. Kiefer is from Barnettville, and his favourite sport is hunting. Kiefer's favourite class is Drama and he also likes to hunt in his spare time. Congratulations, Keifer!

Teacher of the week is Mrs. Angela Moody. Mrs. Moody obtained her education at the University of New Brunswick, and she has been teaching for a total of 8 years. Her favourite subject to teach is Language Arts and she enjoys attending her children's sport events in her spare time. Congratulations, Mrs. Moody!

Staff of the week is Mrs. Pam Underhill. Mrs. Underhill obtained her education at the University of New Brunswick, and has been teaching for 29 years. Mrs. Underhill's favourite subject to teach is Language Arts and she enjoys walking or reading during her spare time. Congratulations, Mrs. Underhill!

Shannon MacLeod visits the Journalism 120 Class

Shannon MacLeod came to visit the Journalism 120 class Tuesday, October 28. She is a journalist and photographer from the Miramichi Leader and came to mainly talk about criminal and court reporting. 

Left to right: Leah Hennessy, Graham Manderville, Shannon MacLeod,
Ashley Vickers, Brody Nash and Mariah Hallihan 

People's Picks (Oct. 20-24)

The student of the week is Lincoln Colford. Lincoln is in kindergarten and is from the Rapids. Lincoln's favourite part of school is recess. Congratulations, Lincoln!










The teacher of the week is Mrs. Lori-Ann Curtis. Mrs. Curtis graduated from Saint Thomas University with her Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education, and she also graduated from the University New Brunswick with her Master of Education. Mrs Curtis's favourite class to teach is Language Arts, and she likes to sing and help out with choir in her spare time. Congratulations, Mrs. Curtis!


The staff of the week is Ms. Breau.  Ms. Breau is from Miramichi and has been teaching for 7 years now. She received her education from the University of New Brunswick. Ms. Breau enjoys spending what spare time she has with family. Congratulations, Ms. Breau!

Compiled by Trent Thibodeau and Dan Wilson

School's In Podcast for October 24, 2014

Host Leah Hennessy shares news from Blackville School for the week of October 24. School's In podcasts are heard on Life Radio , Friday evenings. Podcast edited by Perry Jay Peterson.

Opinion: Halloween, A Trick or a Treat?

Photo from http://morguefile.com/archive/#/?q=halloween

Some people do not celebrate Halloween for different reasons. Do you think Halloween is a holiday that everyone should celebrate? Do you enjoy or dislike Halloween?

Every year on October 31 we celebrate a holiday which we call Halloween. People celebrate Halloween by trick-or-treating or through Halloween parties, wearing costumes, carving jack o' lanterns, lighting fires, watching scary movies and listening to frightening stories, playing pranks and visiting haunted attractions. These Halloween activities make some people like Halloween but they are also activities that puts others off the idea of Halloween.

Andy Thibodeau Presentation

Guest speaker Andy Thibodeau (top far right corner) with the Middle School WEB,
High School Boomerang and High School Student Council. 

Middle and High School students at Blackville School had a guest speaker on Wednesday, October 22. Andy Thibodeau is a motivational speaker and very comical. Both the students and teachers enjoyed his presentation that focused on being active caring members of the community and the importance of school involvement and spirit.

To see more photos from the Andy Thibodeau presentation today, click here!

Andy's Contact Information:

London, Canada

andypresentations.com

Facebook: Andy Thibodeau, Impact Speaker

youtube.com/andyspeaks

Photo taken by Riley Sherrard and Justin Donahue

Viewpoint: Hockey

School's In Podcast for October 17, 2014

Host Leah Hennessy shares news from Blackville School for the week of October 17. School's In podcasts are heard on Life Radio, Friday evenings. Podcast edited by Perry Jay Peterson.

Elementary Colouring Contest Winners

People's Picks (October 13-17)

The student of the week goes to Justin Donahue. His favourite class is Co-op. Water Polo is his favourite sport. He is from Blackville. In his spare time he likes to cruise around.

This week's teacher is Mr. Carter. He has been teaching for 12 years. His favourite subjects to teach are Journalism, English, and History. He went to university at UNB and St. Thomas for his Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education and Memorial University for his Master of Education.

The staff member of the week is Loretta Gorbett. Her favourite class is law. Loretta is from Blackville. In her spare time she enjoys coaching and traveling.

By Dan Wilson and Trent Thibodeau 

Dungarvon ATV Club Donates $1000 to Blackville School

Front Row: (left to right) Bailey Curtis, Camden Curtis, Derek Gilchrist, Brayden Duffy and Abigail McEvoy

Back Row: (left to right) Principal Mr. Buggie, Blackville Mayor Andrew Hawkes, Ted Corcoran (President of Dungarvon ATV Club), LeRoy Stewart (Director of Region 4 ATV Federation), Carla Allison (Events Coordinator Dungarvon ATV Club) and Len Allison (Executive Member)

(Missing- Milton Sullivan and Emery Brophy, executive members of the ATV Club)

Photo by Moranda Frennette 

School's In Podcast for October 10, 2014

Host Leah Hennessy shares news from Blackville School for the week of October 10. School's In podcasts are heard on Life Radio, Friday evenings. Podcast edited by Perry Jay Peterson.
 

People's Picks (October 6-10)

Peoples Pick's Student of the Week is Laura Colford. Laura is from Blackville (Howard Road). Her favourite class is gym and enjoys spending her spare time playing soccer, which is also her favourite sport. Congratulations to Laura for being selected the student of the week!




Peoples Pick's Staff of the Week is Brent Wilson. Brent is from Blackville (Howard Road). Brent's favourite sport is baseball, and he enjoys watching it and resting in his spare time. Congratulations to Brent for being selected staff of the week!

Peoples Pick's Teacher of the Week is Mr. Mason. Mr. Mason has been teaching for 18 years and teaches Phys Ed in elementary and middle school. Mr. Mason graduated from the University of New Brunswick. Congratulations to Mr. Mason for being selected teacher of the week!

by Trent Thibodeau and Dan Wilson

Viewpoint: Hunting

Turtles find a winter home at Blackville School

Ashley with the turtles.

Blackville School has some new friends, but they're not students!

Grade 12 student Ashley Vickers worked during the summer at the Atlantic Salmon Museum in Doaktown. While she was there she had the opportunity to work with turtles.

The museum is closed for the winter leaving the turtles with nowhere to go. With Ashley's experience with them, Mr. Johnston, a teacher at the school, asked the principal, Mr. Buggie, if it would be okay if the turtles lived at Blackville School for the winter.

Destination Leadership: CSLC 2014

“Leadership is not about titles, positions, or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another.”
- John C. Maxwell.

I have seen this quote before, but I had never actually experienced the full meaning of what the author of this quote was saying, until this past week. I had the opportunity to attend the annual Canadian Student Leadership Conference (CSLC) alongside 1000 other youthful leaders all converging on Kelowna, Colombia by plane, train and automobile.

These 1000 other students, just like me, were leading members of their school student bodies, either as part of a leadership class or holding a high position on the student council. Regardless of their reason for being chosen to attend, every student that was registered for CSLC 2014 was there to become a more effective leader in their school and in their lives. At CSLC 2014, we all took part in numerous leadership building activities, heard keynote speakers share their secrets on leadership and made friendships that would last forever.

Opinion: Longer Lunch Hour Welcomed, More Activities Required

At the beginning of this school year we were informed that we were not having a flex period anymore, and to top it all off… longer classes. The majority of us would agree that we were disappointed in this change and about the fact that it was no longer available to us.

Another change we had at the beginning of the 2014-2015 school year was that since we no longer had a flex period we now also had a longer lunch hour. This was somewhat exciting news at the start because last year we mostly complained that our 30 minute lunch was way too short. Now, that we have a 45 minute lunch we still find ourselves complaining, but about the fact that we think it’s now too long. Some enjoy the long lunch hour, and others just find that it drags on and gets boring.

Middle School Students of the Month

Middle School Student of the Month for 6D is Keaton Walls. Keaton is a hard working student, showing outstanding effort in school along with great leadership skills. Keaton also shows respect for others and is very kind and helpful.

Middle School Student of the Month for 7W is Cassidy Urquhart. Cassidy shows outstanding effort in school and is a very hard worker. Cassidy is especially kind and helpful towards others and shows great leadership skills.

Middle School Student of the Month for 7M is Abby Keenan. Abby shows outstanding effort in class and works very hard. Abby is very kind and helpful towards others, and is especially thoughtful.

Middle School Student of the Month for 8M is Denver Donovan. Denver is a hard working student and shows outstanding effort in school. Denver also is especially kind and thoughtful towards others.

Middle School Student of the Month  for 8O is Kendra McEvoy. Kendra is a hard working student and shows outstanding effort in school. Kendra also shows improvement at an academic level, and is respectful towards others.

Compiled by Trent Thibodeau

Elementary Students Receive Year End Awards

Elementary students at Blackville School received their year-end awards on Tuesday, June 17.

Students were recognized in several areas, including music, sports, and academic.

Grade Five Graduation Banquet

On Tuesday, June 10, Blackville Elementary held its first grade five Graduation Banquet.

All twenty six graduates with their guests attended the evening. M.C.'s of the evening were Keaton Walls and Reese Urquhart.

Students and guests were served a turkey supper by next year's graduating class. There were slideshows of the students growing up over the years, and a final slideshow of our year together.

 For entertainment, the boys sang "The Good Ole' Hockey Game. The girls performed the song "Cups'. Awards were presented that night by Principal Rodney Buggie and Vice-Principal Pam Underhill.

The Ron Pauley Memorial Award went to Reese Urquhart. The Bronze "B" Awards went to Andrea Lynch, Reese Urquhart and Anna Sturgeon.